But actually becoming a citizen is tough: You need to live in
Canada for at least six years, stay on your best behavior, and
know a thing or two about the country you'll soon call home.

For those who actually want to head up north, here's how you move
to Canada.

Preface: Make sure you're not already a Canadian citizen.

source

Shaun Best/Reuters

Before you go through the hassle of applying for citizenship,
take
a short quiz to see if you may already be Canadian.

The government outlines several caveats for being a citizen even
if you weren't born there, many of which depend on your parents'
citizenship. Maybe you secretly inherited their status at some
point along the way.

Be at least 18 years old.

Minors need their parent or legal guardian
to fill out the application for them; they need to be
permanent residents in Canada (more on that later); and the
parent must either be a citizen or applying to become one at the
same time.

Or enter the pool for skilled immigrants.

source

Thomson Reuters

Canada has a fast-track system for immigration called Express
Entry. It's how skilled workers transition into a role in the
country.

All applicants into Express Entry
are given specific scores based on their specific talents and
job prospects and then ranked with other applicants. Those at the
top of the rankings are invited to become permanent residents.

Have a permanent residence in Canada.

source

Malcolm Hasman

To become a permanent resident, people can
choose between several avenues. They can apply through the
province of their choice, go down a special entrepreneur route,
get help from a family member or spouse who lives in Canada, or
go through Quebec, which has special immigration requirements.

Permanent residents are entitled to healthcare coverage and can
work, study, and travel anywhere in Canada. You just can't vote,
run for office, or hold some jobs with high security clearance.

Declare your intent to reside.

source

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

If you're invited to become a permanent resident, you must
confirm your plans to stay Canadian. The government defines
permanent residence as living in Canada for at least two
years in a five-year period. If you don't spend that much time
within the borders, you could lose your permanent residence
status.

If you don't live in Canada, you must work outside Canada as a
public official known as a Crown Servant or live abroad with
certain family members who are Crown Servants.

Spend six years at that residence.

Permanent residents don't always become citizens. The bar for
citizenship is higher.

If you're living in Canada, you must have been a permanent
resident and physically present in Canada for at least 1,460 days
(four 365-day periods) in the six years immediately before the
date of your application.

You must also be present for 183 days (half a year) during each
of the four calendar years that are fully or partially
within the six years before the application date.

In other words, your time in Canada needs to stay relatively
consistent.

Provide your income tax filing.

source

Canadian Finance Blog

Like the residence requirement, you must be able to provide four
years' worth of tax returns in the six-year period leading up to
the date of your application.

Basically, they want to see if your job is legit.

Speak English or French.

source

Flickr Creative Commons

Along with dozens of other countries, Canada has two official
languages: English and French.

To become a citizen, you need to know just one. You don't need to
be fluent, just conversational enough to make small talk, give
directions, use basic grammar, and know your vocab well enough to
describe yourself.

You'll send along written documents with your application, but a
citizenship officer will make the final call whether your English
or French is up to snuff.

Know a thing or two about Canada.

source

Wikimedia Commons

You should probably brush up on your Canadian history anyway, but
the government also issues a formal quiz to applicants on the
history, values, institutions, and symbols of Canada.

You take the test if you're between 16 and 64 years old.
Typically, it's a written test, but the citizenship officer may
also ask questions orally.